Title: Speak to me
Setting: Seventh Year, Hogwarts
Rating: R- Slash, violence?
Disclaimer: Don't own HP
Summary: Harry Potter had defeated Voldemort. But his victory had major consequences. One being the fact that Harry has totally shut himself away from any contact with anyone. No one can help. No one, that is, except a certain Slytherin enemy. (Slash HP/DM!)
Authors Notes: Once again, sorry for the late update. I update whenever I can, and I haven't found a permanent time when I'm not busy. But, this chapter came really easy for me! That's a good thing! I mean, that means my writers block is slowly, but surely, fading. However, this isn't one of my best chapters. I've stumbled into a sap-filled part of this fic, but that's perfectly fine, since it will hopefully satisfy your needs for fluff for a bit... I do have some angst in store for you guys! Which, although it sounds horrible, should be fun to write. I mean, angst usually turns into a whole bunch of sap... and that's when you feel the emotions the most, right?
Anyway, I did a sort of confusing thing in this chapter. I've changed the point of view slightly in the middle... But not from Draco to Harry, from Blaise to Draco. Blaise is just a filler, I mean, with Draco suddenly being depressed and whatnot, we've got to get the Slytherin input right? And who better than precious Blaise Zabini, hm?
This chapter, as I stated before, isn't one of my best, so please try and enjoy it. One day, I might decide to revamp it a bit, but at the moment i'm pretty content with it. Try to be patient with me! I know, it's hard, but, hopefully, it'll all pay off :)
Well, lastly, Thanks so much for your reviews! They're incredible! YOU guys are incredible! Replies are at the bottom ;)
Chapter Twelve: He can feel
x.x.x.x
Draco sighed softly, fingering his bedsheets lazilly. The sun poured down on his blonde hair, streaking it with gold, as the blonde continued to occupy himself with the silky green bed covers. Lowering his head, allowing strands of his hair to stream across his forhead, Draco watched the slow movements as his nimble fingers as played with the smooth fabric.
Blaise watched his friend, shocked. Two weeks ago, Draco had been as cocky as ever, pushing his way through the halls, smirking at frightened first years and picking fights whenever he could. The Slytherin was never one to be weak and as pathetic looking as he was now.
Draco was as fashionable as always, his appearance up to standards with his silky school shirt and handsome black slacks. He also had his velvet cloak draped around him, as winter was not yet over and the dungeons seemed to trap all the winds and blow them at your skin at the most unfortunate moments. However, his form wasn't as cold as it usually was... He didn't seem to be annoyed by the world, only affected by it like an actual human. Blaise frowned. Draco had always been something of a statue, never compared to something living with feelings.
Theodore seemed to be thinking along the same lines because his voice was heard from his bed, sounding slightly stunned.
"Draco, you've been acting quite strange since we've come back. Was spending the holiday's alone at Hogwarts really that horrible?"
Blaise smirked suddenly, watching Draco's eyebrows knit together in a thoughtful frown. Of course Draco had been lonley, all Slytherins had gone home for Christmas, but he never knew Draco as the type to express his feelings like this. Theodore was an idiot, that much was for sure.
In fact, Blaise was expecting Draco to reply with one of his witty remarks, a quick snap and the matter would be over with. Life would be normal. But life was never normal... Not for anyone these days. Draco proved that with his reply.
"No... It wasn't horrible." Changing the subject suddenly, he looked up from his deep green sheets and his fingers stopped their repeating motions. "Potter stayed back, you know."
Theodore snorted and Blaise looked over to the boy, watching as he pulled a sweater over his sandy brown hair. "Of course Potter stayed for the holidays, Draco! Where else would he go? Though I'm sure St. Mungo's psychiatric ward misses him."
Blaise looked towards Draco, his eyes thoughtful. Theodore was much more insensitive then most Slytherins, and Blaise felt suddenly very guilty for even hearing that statement. It was a pity really, that Theodore had grown up to be almost as heartless as Draco himself... The fact that his father had made him get the Dark Mark was a Slytherin secret and although it had disappeared once Voldemort had died, the sandy-haired boy was spiteful towards the whole world. Especially Potter and Voldemort, who he blamed for creating the war.
But as Blaise studied Draco's eyes, he felt his blood run cold. They were horribly silver, shining brightly with anger. A blazing anger, the type that looked as if it could control the winds, put out the brightest stars and extinguish the sun. His jaws suddenly twitched, his pale skin turning a shade of pinkish-red that had hardly ever been seen on a Malfoy. Blonde hair suddenly looked as if it was as deadly as a knife itself and steely grey eyes clouded with a furious emotion that surpassed anger... That was beyond rage. It was a passionate storm in the brewing.
Thedore seemed to realize that he had said something utterly wrong and stopped mid motion of pulling his hands through his sleeves. With a confused gaze towards Blaise, he let his eyes travel towards Draco, who was seething, trying to contain his anger but failing horribly.
"Draco?"
Said boy jumped off his bed, his wand in his hands. It was shooting sparks off randomly, one of them landing on the ground, stirring up a small flame. It died quickly and Theodore's attention was brought back the the violent object in Draco's hand. There was silence for a minute before Draco suddenly disturbed it.
"Take that back, Knott!"
The words were hissed through clenched teeth. Draco's eyes narrowed as he stepped one step forward, his shoes a striking sound in the quiet room.
"I said... Take. That. Back."
Blaise watched the scene with his mouth slightly open, his eyebrows arched and a sudden nervous twittering in his stomach as Draco's words came out strangled. It would be a hopeless fight for Theodore if he didn't comply to Draco's command.
"I... I..." Theodore, like all Slytherins, had his pride. But it quickly disappeared as Draco neared, taking another step. "I take it back!" He yelled, his words icey. With that, he quickly finished putting on his sweater, buckled his belt and bolted out of the room.
With a quick glance towards the closing door, Blaise returned his calculating gaze on his best friend. He was slowly calming down, his flesh paling into that wonderful milky tone it had and his hair somehow molding back into it's original beauty. With a steady breath, Draco put his wand back in the folds of his cloak and fingered the Malfoy-crested clasp fondly.
Staring at Draco, Blaise realized that the cold, collective boy had just yelled at one of his best friends over Harry Potter. It wasn't long before the dark-haired boy started to question Draco. It wasn't long before Draco suddenly realized what he had done. With an almost nervous glance towards Blaise, Draco sat back down on his bed.
"Draco." Blaise started, his voice curious instead of the anger Draco had expected. "It seems over the holidays, without us Slytherins to influence you, a certain Gryffindor has captured your interests."
Draco's head snapped towards Blaise, a nasty sneer on his face. "Potter? My interests - "
"And, for some reason, I can't help but wonder if your interest in the boy has caused you to form a friendship with him... as unbelievable as that sounds." Blaise interrupted.
"Blaise, listen to what you're saying. Me, Draco Malfoy, friends with Potter?"
Blaise detected the almost invisible tone of fright in Draco's voice and he clenched his fists, his confusion making him angry. "Draco! Seriously, you can't be trying to hide it! In fact, now that I think of it, you and Potter did glance at eachother quite a few times at dinner last night."
Draco's face paled, though to anyone other then Blaise, it would have been unnoticable. "I don't know what you're going on about Blaise. Potter will always be Potter, to me, and nothing more. Ever."
With an almost amused glance towards his friend, Blaise smirked. "I used to envy your lying skills, Draco... But now it seems as if you couldn't lie if your life depended on it."
Draco's eyes blazed. "Nothing is going on between me and Golden-boy! So shut your fucking mouth, Zabini!"
Blaise raised an eyebrow, wondering why Draco, who was usually so good at controlling his emotions and hiding behind his indifferent mask, was letting his emotions run wild.
"Actually, Draco, that show with Knott over there says quite differently. In fact, dare I say it, I could have sworn you were defending Potter. It's actually quite unnerving, really."
Draco's eyes were molten and Blaise watched the flames build up until Draco's eyes looked as if they were about to explode with the intensity of the heat that was currently blazing inside of them. With a soft sigh, and his suspisions confirmed, Blaise leaned on his elbows, his comforting bed supporting him.
"Theodore's a bastard, but even you have to admit that Potter's not completely sane."
Draco's eyes seemed to soften and the fire subsided, leaving mist and something that Blaise almost categorized as sympathy. A soft, gentle, caring kind of sympathy.
"He's not. Not sane at all."
Blaise nodded, the sullen mood contagious. "Though who would be... After all, he did go through more in an hour then the average wizard would in a lifetime."
"But he's not psycotic! Not one bit!" Draco said, his anger suddenly flaring. "He's... he's the exact opposite. His feelings... they're so much stronger then anyone i've ever met. They- They're like..." Draco paused, searching for words to explain what exactly he thought of the Gryffindor. "He's just. He-" Draco closed his eyes. "He can feel. That's all that matters."
Blaise watched Draco stunned, his own sapphire eyes searching Draco's grey ones for any sign of sanity. Any sign that he was still Draco Malfoy, Slytherin leader, king of cold.
He couldn't find one.
"Draco..."
The boy suddenly looked over the Blaise, his robes fluttering with his sudden movements. The mask was back in place and Draco's next words came out in a drawl.
"But that doesn't change the fact that he's Potter. That he'll always Potter. Nothing can change that."
Blaise didn't believe one word, but nodded his head anyway, finding his world suddenly much more confusing then it was last night.
x.x.x.x
As the Christmas holiday were over, classes resumed and Hogwarts returned to it's busy state. Most students occupied themselves with their studies and were ecstatic for the return of classes. Draco... Draco was just thrilled to be able to see Harry again.
Potions was Draco's first class, and the blood in his veins seemed to flow faster then normal. His face was flushed with something closed to excitment. It had been a whole entire weekend since the return of Hogwarts students and Draco hadn't properly talked to the Gryffindor since those few blissful hours back in the secluded room. Their secluded room.
There was a catch however. Theodore had informed the Slytherins of what had happened that one morning when Draco had been feeling something close to miserable. He had explained it thoroughly, and to Draco's annoyance, with a large amount of exageration. But, most Slytherins didn't take what he said into account, seeing as how Draco had denied it and they much rather believe him then poor Theodore.
But Blaise knew the truth. He knew every thing had happened and he knew that Draco had formed an odd relationship with Harry... As much as Blaise tried that day to hide the fact that he was suspicious, Draco knew. The dark-haired boy had been avoiding Draco for the majority of the weekend and it worried Draco endlessly.
But, banishing those thoughts from his head, Draco stared at the heavy doors of Snape's chamber before striding inside with his usual confidence. And there, sitting far back in a corner by Granger and Weasley, was Harry. His face was staring out an enchanted window, his eyes glistening with a new hope that Draco noticed lingered there. Forcing his smile down, Draco sat in a seat near Goyle, his eyes staring straight ahead of him, instead of to the right where they would lock with Harry's.
Snape had partnered up the class and Draco awaited his name nervously, hoping that Snape had the sense to put Harry with himself. He was absolutely sure the Slytherin head knew of Harry's attachment to him, and was even contemplating whether Snape knew about their relationship.
The potion's master had developed a sort of soft spot for the Gryffindor anyway. That much was confirmed when Draco heard his name accompanied by Harry's and slowly moved towards Harry's table, aware of Blaise's burning stare and Ron and Hermione's outraged hisses at their professor.
As soon as Draco sat at the table, he felt a feeling make it's way through his body, tingling every limb, until it slowly reached his eyes, lighting them up with sudden joy. Harry gazed at Draco half fearful, half- pleased.
The lesson started in silence, but soon bubbles of conversation broke out and everyone was chatting away, the hiss of the cauldrons adding to the noise level. Finally, finding it safe enough to talk, Draco turned to Harry who was ignoring his task of cutting roots and staring at his lap.
"Harry?" He whispered.
The dark head snapped up and Harry stared at Draco as they absorbed the others needy dependence.
Soft fingers crawled into Draco's hand and the blonde sighed, continuing stirring the cauldron. The fingers that were entwined with his own stroked his palm softly and he smiled, not being able to contain the feelings any longer. He let his pale fingers brush up Harry's wrist before slowly tickling back across his hand.
"Harry." He whispered again, their hands tightening against eachother.
The Gryffindor slowly met Draco's eyes and smiled. "Draco." He said softly, his voice drowned out by the hiss of the cauldrons and the noisy conversations of people around them.
The two continued working in the dark corner, isolated. Everyone else sat huddled in the middle of the room, while Draco and Harry continued to show eachother their affection by soft strokes and hesitant touches, the class oblivious.
Searching his dimmed emerald eyes, Draco smiled, his broken smile. A soft noise in the cauldron erupted, cutting through the silence they created, but they ignored it.
Harry smiled back. His smile was much more broken then Draco's, his voice was torn and raspy, his eyes were blackened and his skin was scarred. Draco made a mental promise to never try and fix any of this, because this was purely Harry. Harry at his weakest, Harry at his strongest.
It was just Harry.
And nothing mattered anyway. All that mattered was...
Harry could feel.
He could feel Draco and how much the Slytherin adored him.
He could feel the soft fingers laced with his own.
And most importantly, he could make Draco feel.
What was more important then feeling?
Draco decided that nothing was. Nothing could ever be as important as this.
x.x.x.x
A/N: Another chapter for you. I tried to end it intelligently, but it didn't quite work out, haha. But that's alright... I'm pretty happy with the ending, even if you guys arent! Hopefully you enjoyed this, and are patient enough to read the next. Sap, I know, but we'll see what I can do about that!
Well, you guys are awesome! Here are your replies, my lovely, lovely readers!
RedFox13: Your welcome! I'm glad his POV was fun, and I hope you like Draco's! I was guessing after all the suffering I put Harry through, he deserved a little happiness! And of course he gets to see Draco soon! I'd be crazy to keep them apart longer! They do deserve to be together, but what's a story without a little drama ;) Your review was wonderful, thank you very much! (you're very adorable you know that:)
Kaikiki: Aw thanks! I have always thought Ron and Hermione to be such wonderful friends! Even though some authors don't like them and usually kind of isolate Harry away from them, I find they are very important and love how they're so loyal to poor Harry. You're right, Harry does remember a lot of bad things and many more then the good... but he's quite confused as to what he wants right now. He doesn't want to remember, but Draco, Hermione and Ron make him feel safe enough to almost-want to. If that makes any sense, haha.
Anna: I love angst too! It has gone deeply into fluff right now, I hope that's okay with you. The story has probably reached mid-point and the angst will heighten again soon, so don't worry, it's not all just pointless sap from now on ;) Thanks for your compliments and your review!
Sezza Rikda: Beautiful? Aw, thats a very large compliment to me and I'm very flattered :) I like to torment the two, poor boys, but they do need eachother, and that's exactly how I'm trying to make them feel. Knowing you understand that makes me all warm and happy inside! Thanks for the review and hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Makalani Astral: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! It's reviewers like you that make me feel like writing through my tiny block. The remembering... That's a part I've got all planned, and am extremely excited to write about! I hope you enjoy this chapter and everyone after it!
MoonstarDust: Cute? Thank you! I really like writing romance and cute romance is one of my favorites:) It makes you feel like crying in a good way, I hope! I'm glad it can bring emotion out in you and that's a HUGE compliment, so thank you so much!
LenJade: Thanks for the review! Here's your update!
AloraBraken: You're right, it was a chapter full of emotions but not much action. I'm glad you've read the story this far and appreciate your review :) They'll always get back together, hehe, keeping them apart is not something I like to do.
Dieu Anonyme: Harry's the absolute hardest to write about, in this situation, so I'm very happy that you like the way I'm writing his memories! You're feelings are most-likely right... I mean, he's had a pretty harsh life... and his feelings towards Draco were very different from what they are now. And, I know what you mean about not wanting to remember... That's why he's so confused. He wants to remember all these nice things about his 'past-life' but knows that with the good comes the bad! I'll try not to make it so fluffly, though that's exactly how it is now, haha. But the thing is, the story has only reached mid-point and the angst will come back soon. This is just how the story needs to go because I've just developed their relationship and want to keep on adding to it until they've felt they need eachother more then anything else. Then, haha, it sounds horrible, but then I'll take them apart. And you think you're sadomasochist? ;) Thanks for the review, and your suggestions! You're wonderful.
Zoomaphonethepirate: I'm glad you're enjoying it! And I hope you like this chapter as well! Thanks for sticking by the story, my loyal reviewers (like you) are the push I need to continue! Thanks for the review and your wonderful compliments! You're so sweet :)
Marauders-Lover: Thanks! Here's the more, even though it wasn't really all that soon! I hope it's to your liking!
Tabbymogpuss: Aw thank you! The emotional part of the story is the most important and I'm glad I'm not doing too horribly with it! I'm glad it was sweet, and that you enjoyed it! You're welcome, though really, it should be I who is thanking you for spending hours reading my story!
mah-angel-frum-heaven: In this story, Harry will retrieve his memory but, how soon, I cannot tell you because even I don't know. The story kind of flows by itself. And what he thinks about Draco is a secret ;) Don't want to give too much away. Thanks for your review!
Lane666: Aww! That's such a sweet reivew :) I'm really happy you love the plot! It's original? Thanks, I always thought it was a bit played-out, but hearing that makes me swell with giddy-ness! As for Harry and Draco being adorable... aren't they always ;)! I know exactly what you mean.. I've read a lot of stories where it starts to fast or takes like, 30 chapters to begin. I'm glad you think my story started at a believable pace and am really pleased and flattered :) I will try to ease poor Harry through it and trust me, nothing will be normal after his memory returns! Thanks for your lovely compliments and the ultra-sweet review (And of course for adding me to your favorites list! I feel honored (and big-headed ;)
-Tikadie-: Yeah, I guess I was a bit unclear in that chapter. Harry didn't remember everything, and "Tell-me-Your-Name" must have got confused, which I'm totally sorry for. Oh well, what can you do... I just have to remember to be a lot clearer from now on! Thanks a lot for the review, heres the update! Hope you enjoy :)
Princess of the Tomb Robbers: Aww thanks! A great writer? You guys just love getting me all embarrassed, don't you ;) Heres your update, hope you enjoy it! (Love your name, by the way :)
LivetoDie: Finally decided to review, huh? ;) Spelling is a major issue for me, but i'm coping. How did you like the chapter, hm, personal critic of mine! Hah, romance! It is totally my favorite genre, deny it as much as you want but it's yours to:) Devious aren't I, for keeping my name a secret. Too bad is right! Don't spoil my little anonymous fun, kay ;)
Dragon Tears Wing: Thank you! Your threat really got to me! I don't like suffering wraths of anything, haha, much less an angry tall goth! Here's your update, thanks for the review! I hope you enjoy the chapter :)
Hannah: Thank you! Yeah, I know! Harry and Draco are just so irresistable, aren't they! Here's the update! Hope you like!
Solo D. Maxwell-yuy: Thanks for all three reviews! Even though they're one-worded ;) they're very sweet! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Reviews were very awesome! I love you guys, and you're all just FANTASTIC! They were such wonderful compliments, that I'm blushing ;)
-Shadow